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Pranams Swamijee
What a wonderful way to learn and share ideas about Spirituality.
This whole world is our own Holy Mother says, so the devotees of the world will benefit from this wonderful blog, what a wonderful way to carry out Mother’s Teachings. Congragulations!

Most Revered Swamiji Maharaj
I offer my pranams and prostrations. Swamiji Maharaj’s blog is a thoroughly modern approach to making Swamiji accessible to us all, and we are thankful. By embracing this type of technology, the limitations of time and space are transcended. Now it is almost effortless to strengthen our bonds with Swamiji and the great mission of Sri Ramakrishna. Such is Swamiji Maharaj’s compassion for us!

Vanakam Swamji,
Noticed that you have visited my blog. Thank you, I am feeling blessed already. I am stil very new to blogging and am still learning…Swamiji’s blog is simply wonderful and I’ll be a frequent visitor here, to learn. Thank you

At the outset please accept my Prostrated Pronam.The Blog is quite interesting and informative and attracts rapt engrossed attention till the end.
I always cherish your sweet hospitaluty during my 3 days stay at Durban Ashrama last year and My prayers to THAKUR to make me blessed in visiting Ashrama in time to come.
Trust this has already found you,Swami Saradananda ji and other devotees in good health and spirit out of THAKUR’s grace.
Pronam,once again,
Kind regards,
Ranjan

I enjoy at every corner of this blog, only one urge is there: if it is possible to add some of your speeches (I miss them all) like the speech you gave during Navaratri, even through a link to YouTube, it would be a great help.

PronaamSucheta, Italy

Dear Sucheta
May the blessings of Master be with you!
All my speeches are recorded in the dictaphone and later transferred to my computer and are in .wav format. So far more than 300 speeches are stored. Each file comes to 80 Mb or so and naturally, I am unable to send you in gmail due to its limitation. But I have asked one of our devotees to convert all speeches into .mp3 format so that the file size is reduced and can be sent by email attachment. I am still searching for a FREE audio website where I can store them online and interested people can listen just by opening that website and clicking the relevant speech. The few that were recommended to me were not upto the mark.Italy te aar koto din thakte hobe? Ma tomake rakkha koruk!
With prayersSwami Vimokshananda

Dear Sucheta
I came across a site called ‘Soundcloud’. My first impression was good. So, on experimental basis, I uploaded 5 of my Talks. One of them was the Talk delivered on Maha Ashtami evening during Navaratri last year. The other 4 are Discourse on Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Being a ‘FREE MEMBER’ of this Soundcloud has its own limitations. For instance in one month I can upload only 5 Tracks. In March, I shall upload another selected 5 Talks. Even the minimum ProLight version costs 99 Euros for one year! Of course if anybody donates, I shall become Pro member and in that case I can upload 15 Talks per month. Do you know average I give 15 Talks per month?!
Now please paste the below link in your browser and listen to any Talk and give me feedback either there itself or by separate mail. I would like to know how the reception is at your end.http://soundcloud.com/vimokshananda/sets/durga-navaratriThakur, Mayer bishesh kripa borshon hok!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Maharaj,
I came across one site called http://www.4shared.com, which offers uploads of video/audio/photos up to 10/15 GB for free, and for Premium versions the storage is 100 GB for an year,
Please go through the site once, if you like it and is fine, let me know.
Currently the Premium version costs $78 which I can transfer to your online a/c.
Also please check http://www.zshare.net/ too.
with hearty pranam,Mohan
Hyderabad, India.

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Mohan
I am indeed overwhelmed at your offer to pay the cost of Premium version. Many thanks! I went through the site. I understand after reading the site that if any uploaded file is NOT downloaded by anyone at least once in 30 days that particular file will be deleted. Well, thats something I don’t want. I have innumerable Audio Talks of mine which need to be stored online but without any such restriction. I would be happy if you can find out one such and let me know.
With love and prayersSwami Vimokshannada

Revered Maharaj,
Glad to hear from you.
I came across http://www.mediafire.com/ site which offers a better free service with a restriction that the uploaded file size should be 200MB and a user must log in at-least once every 60 days OR “any” of the uploaded file is downloaded once in 30 days by any user (almost all of the sites has such restriction). If I found any site with out restrictions I will post a reply.
For premium a/c’s, if it is not renewed in-time, it will be degraded to free a/c and only 200MB size files are downloadable.
Please have a check at the site once, many details are available under FAQs.
with hearty pranam,Mohan
Hyderabad, India.

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Mohan
I am indeed moved by your concern to help me out.
Yes, I went through the link that you supplied. I felt that at last I have found such a site that would be suitable initially for my purpose. I have signed for the FREE account for the time being. And have uploaded one of my Talks delivered in 2008 at Sri Sarada Devi Ashram situated in Asherville. Total there were 10 Talks in that year at that Ashram, each not less than one hour and it will take about half GB to upload the .wav files. Slowly I shall do it.
Let me see how the whole thing works. Upgrading can be done at any time.
Once again my hearty thanks to you.
May Master be ever gracious to you!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Maharaj,
Thank you very much for the blessings.
I am glad that the website will serve the purpose.
It is really good if it works fine.
Also let me know, if there is a need for an upgrade of a/c.
with hearty prananm,Mohan
Hyderabad, India.

Just read through your conversation above with Sucheta. In case you have not heard about it, one site which can be used is http://www.esnips.com where you can upload upto 5GB data (in any form) with free account, and others can either listen to the tracks or download them. Just thought of sharing this in case it is useful.

Thanks Vaibhav for your helping attitude.
Another reader Saison also indeed referred to esnips.
So I joined as a free member and uploaded one Ram dhun which unfortunately was not even opening in many browsers.
Hence recently I am experimenting with SoundCloud, which so far seems to be working well.

I have a question which I haven’t asked anyone yet. Thakur believed in all different paths. He devoted his life for MAA in SAAKAARA form as well as NIRAAKAARA. He asked for devotion and DHYAANA from all. He also did not want anybody calling him GURU or BHAGWAAN.

Why then Ramakrushna mission worships Thakur as God? Isn’t that different practice from what Thakur himself taught us all?Pranam,Chirag Patel, USAhttp://rutmandal.info

Dear Chirag
You are welcome with your question.
Firstly, congrats for reading about Sri Ramakrishna! Where did you get that Thakur “did not want anybody calling him Guru or Bhagawaan”?
There are instances where HE CATEGORICALLY TOLD TO SOME OF HIS “DISCIPLES” specially “MONASTIC DISCIPLES” (for eg. to Swami Yoganandaji) and in some cases even Householder Disciples (for eg. Girish Chandra Ghosh), that they can continue worshipping HIM as GOD.
I have encountered the question in our youth meetings whether Thakur is a simple human. saint, or avatar or God. The best answer is Thakur is what He really is and what He makes you understand of Him. He is Unknown but definitely not unknowable. It is the conviction of every monk that Thakur IS God.
See the mystery of his birth…Both Master’s parents had visions that the Lord will be born in their home….. Kshudiram dreamt at Gaya that Lord Vishnu will be born in his home and then Chandramani had a light engulf her body from the Shivaling…also before the birth of Master.
Ordinarily mortals attain self realisation through a course of intense spiritual discipline, while eternally perfect beings (Avatar) come down on earth with the realisation already in them. Most of the time they disguise themselves as ordinary mortals. After reading the Life and Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna ….ONE MUST DECIDE FOR HIMSELF WHAT SRI RAMAKRISHNA WAS! Or IS! His actions, His words and deeds will speak for themselves.
In order to arrive at a somewhat intelligible assessment, I give below two links which when you click, will open and please read them.http://issuu.com/vimoksha/docs/sri_ramakrishna_the_unknownhttp://issuu.com/vimoksha/docs/devotees_visions_of_the_master
May Thakur provide the necessary illumination to understand Him.Swami Vimokshananada

Thank you very much Swamiji for strengthening my belief. Actually, I have Gujarati version of “SHRI RAMAKRUSHNA KATHAAMRUT” by SHRI M.
Per that, THAKUR spoke of not being GURU to any. But, I believed always that he is the GOD and the GURU. Maybe his words were in different context?
I will surely go thru’ the links.

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Chirag
I am happy that you are reading Gujarati translation of Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita. Sri Thakur used to say that right understanding is always provided by God who resides within every one. Yes, please go thru’ the links at your convenience.
May Sri Thakur’s grace be on you all !Swami Vimokshananda

Most Revered Swamiji Maharaj“Om namo Naaraayanaaya!”
While reading some of Swami Vivekanada’s works, the following excerpt caught my attention. There it was hidden among the spiritual jewels bequeathed to us by Swamiji.

It is our privilege to be allowed to be charitable, for only so can we grow. The poor man suffers that we may be helped; let the giver kneel down and give thanks, let the receiver stand up and permit.

This completely shattered my illusions about charity and left me in a daze. I recall reading and re-reading it. Particularly interesting is the reversal of roles between the so-called “giver” and the so-called “receiver”. How often we believe we are doing others a service when engaging in some form of charity when truly, it is about our being allowed to be charitable. It makes one realize that one is blessed to give and that one ought to give with an attitude of humility – not superiority.Hari Om Tat Sat.Nirmala Balkaran
Ladysmith, SA

Dear Sister
Yes, Swamiji’s statement is, indeed bold! I always feverishly quote this when I dwell upon the Charity concept in my Talks. Don’t we see poor ladies in rags practically standing on the road junctions and seeking help? What if we can part with a little money or food items that are wasted anyway? The objection comes that how do we know that they are genuine and would they utilise our ‘gift’ properly? To this, the above-quoted Swamiji’s inspiring words are the only answer.
And you have rightly concluded that It makes one realize that one is blessed to give and that one ought to give with an attitude of humility – not superiority.Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Swamiji Maharaj,
I am Satwik from Bangalore. Being a devotee of the Holy Trinity, I consider it to be my great fortune to have visited your Blog and I am indebted to my co-devotee, friend and sister Avithaaji for guiding me to this wonderful site.
I have been undergoing a tough time for last few months and with Mother’s grace I have learnt to take it up all in its own stride. Having “laid off” from work, I was making every possible effort to find a decent job or even freelancing consulting assignments, but Mother thinks otherwise. With Her blessings and her wish I was fortunate enough to spend the “idle” time in spreading Mother’s nector words.
Tomorrow I am going to attend another interview for the position of Principal of an engineering college in Punjab and if Mother wills and I get this opportunity, my goal is to bring in the changes in the educational system (may be in a small way!) inspired by Swamiji’s vision and guidance.
Once Swami Atmeshanandaji (who was earlier at Ulsoor Ashram, Bangalore and now I think he is at Sydney) wrote to me quoting Swami Brahmanandaji‘s words “Be like a leaf fallen from the tree… accept the place wherever the wind takes you” and I really find true solace contemplating on these words. Mother knows the Best and Mother does the Best!!!
Seeking your blessings and wishes,

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Satwik
Thank you for visiting this blog!
Holy Mother said “One who makes a habit or prayer will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life”. The strength and self confidence that you possess is remarkable indeed, and this can only be achieved by your constant prayer to “Ma”. It is also heartening to note that you are facing life’s challenges with a positive attitude. I feel very happy indeed that you try to spread nectarine teachings of Mother! That is a great blessing in itself.
Hope you do get the job. Besides the earning part of it, your keen desire to mould the educational system on the basis of Swamiji’s vision is deeply appreciated. Let Swamijee’s teachings be the solid rock for you to stand on…on your onward journey to realise the truth!
May Holy Mother Sarada continue to guide, protect and bless you and your family!Swami Vimokshananda

Aadarniya Maharaj,Saadar Pranaam,
Your blessings and Mother’s Grace have prevailed on me :)
Today I start the journey to Punjab to take up this new challange. Being Mother’s son, I am confident that She will continue to guide me and be with me always.
I am not sure when I will get the internet connection after reaching there on sunday.
With best regards and shatakoti pranaam,Satwik Joglekar

Dear Satwik
You are already a blessed child of Holy Mother!
Mother has silently weaved a “silver thread” in your life! As one door closes another one opens, and I am sure this new beginning, on the eve of the ensuing spring, will bring hope and renewal in your life, and with that wonderful rewards. May your devotion to Ma be increased by leaps and bounds! God speed and God bless!Swami Vimokshananda

Aum namo Narayaanaya Maharaj
Thank you very much for inviting devotees to interact on the website. Such an interactive communication medium encourages devotees to share their thoughts and experiences.
I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to Maharaj on the discourse delivered on the Birth Anniversary Celebration of Paramahamsa Sri Ramakrisha. The discourse, was very inspiring. I felt our beloved Master’s presence in the Hall.
It reminded me of my late granny’s teaching that Mother Saraswathie takes Her seat on the purest pedestal. I would like to salute my granny for that lesson. May Mother Saraswathie bless Maharaj to inspire devotees through this interactive blog.
Dear Maharaj, the talk was truly enlightening.
Thank you, Maharaj for gloryfying our beloved Master.Mandusha
Durban, SA

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Mandusha
Thanks for your visit to this blog and welcome!
I am happy that you could make it to the 174th birth anniversary of Master here. When, standing in front of mike, I surveyed the hall, I found it was jam-packed with people of all hues. The eagerness in their faces was palpable. I too felt the presence of the Master; perhaps thats the reason that the Talk became a hit. Its all His Will and I bow down to Him in love and reverence.
May Master guide us in every way!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Maharaj,Namaste!
This blog is very nice as it would be useful and available to anyone at anytime.
Maharajji, I would like to know, Is there any one living in these days who has seen God and would talk with God just like Thakur did?
I am completely a changed person after coming in contact with Thakur through The Gospel of Sri Ramakrisha and the reading of Kathamritha by M. Previously I used to live the life without knowing that the purpose of human life is to see God, I have not even a slightest idea from the depths of my thoughts that a person need to see God and it is possible for ordinary men too.
Now I feel that I am no longer this body, at the same time I know I am something which I don’t know and some one from within is actually doing the rhythms of breathing in and out.
I feel great joy and adventurous when I try to explore myself.
with deep reverence at the lotus feet of Thakur, Ma and Swamiji.Mohan
Hyderabad, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Mohan
Welcome to this blog and thanks for your deeply felt and sincere comment!
Yes, the world is never without a person who sees and talks to God. Such godly persons do not advertise themselves. Because of their existence, the clouds give rains. I remember an incident that occurred in Ranchi. One of our devotees, a Sardarji was close to Meher Baba, a mystic yogi who told him in Mumbai that in Ranchi there was a paramahamsa. But how to find out him? The Sardarji came back to Ranchi and was searching for him for a few months. He couldn’t see any one. One day, while he was taking tea at a roadside stall, one poorly clad young man came near him and told him that he had no money and would the Sardarji be pleased to offer him a cup of tea? The Sardarji of course agreed, moved by humanitarian consideration, and ordered for it. The mad-looking man sipped his tea slowly and once over, he just rose and started leaving. Turning to Sardarji, he said, “could you understand that about this (showing his body) only Meher Baba told you!” Sardarji was nonplussed as the mad-looking man just mingled in the crowd and was lost. Such saints are like unseen dew falling in an unseen hour on the buds and make them bloom once the sun rises.
I am happy that the Gospel is inspiring for you and you ‘feel great joy and adventurous when I try to explore myself’. To a query ‘When shall I be free?’ Master replied, ‘when I shall cease to be!’ Either this ‘I’ has to be expanded to infinity or renounced absolutely and verily the process is known as sadhana.
May the blessings of Thakur, Ma and Swamiji be with you is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Dear Divine Master,Pranam,
Here I am, Kumar from Bangalore. From yesterday onwards here we are celebrating Holy Mother Sarada Devi BIRTH anniversary..and yesterday we had wonderful spiritual speech from Swami Nirbhayanandaji. It was so nice that I was feeling presence of Trio divine Masters.
From your blog, I am indeed getting lot of knowledge. I have some question, dear Divine Master! I would like to ask you. I am blessed reading your blog.
Thank you! Hari Om!Kumar Bhanu
Bangaluru, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Kumar
Welcome to this blog! This is the first time that you have sent us your comment. Thank you for the same!
I am happy that by attending Holy Mother’s Birth Anniversary celebration in Bangaluru, you have been benefitted. Yes, when you attend such functions you must keep your eyes and ears open. See, how wonderful thoughts can be picked up in the Swami’s speech!
You should not hesitate to ask your doubt. You are always welcome to write to me in this email id : vimoksha@gmail.com
Happy reading of the blog! God bless!Swami Vimokshananda

Jai Sri Ramkrishna dev..!Parampujya sannyasimaharajko saadar pranaam aur charan sparsh,Sri Maharaj! I have recently come into contact with this web address…
I am pleased to know that now I may contact and converse with a monk of Sri Ramakrishna Order frequently.
I am initiated by sriyut Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj one and half years before at Delhi..
I will feel sanctified if you converse with me.
Please shower your grace a little to this unworthy son…Pritam Anand
Saharsa, Bihar, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear PritamSwaagatam to this blog, Pritam!
Happy to know that you are an initiated devotee of Sri Sri Thakur.
Your Revered Gurudev maharaj had visited our place twice in recent years. There are many devotees here too initiated by him.
Yes, You are free to write to me whenever you feel to do so.
May the blessings of Holy Trio be ever there on you is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Revered Maharajcharan sparsh,
Recently I came into contact with my janampatri…well, according to it, there are lot of obstacles in my life…however, I am not much inclined towards such type of stuff (thanks to Swamiji’s inspiring writings).Maharaj! one question always torments me nowadays: is planetary influence superior over individual will and mind?
Is it possible for son and devotee of Sri Ramkrishna to supersede the laws of astrology?
Can the evil effect of planets change by devotion to lord?
yours,Pritam
Saharsa, Bihar, India

PranamMaharaj!
I’m blessed to see your blog and very happy too.Maharaj, you may not remember me as we have met at least 7 years back at Mr. Pushpita Mitra’s hosue in Bhagalpur. I’m a friend of Sanjoy Ganguly(Bantu) of Entally too. I’m Mrigesh Bhattacharjee. Me and my wife Sujata were blessed with a daughter Shreyi in 2007 and now in Kolkata.
I came to know from Kakima of Bhagalpur that you are presently at Durban and while searching internet, I discovered your blog just now and could not go through it yet. I will go through your blog regularly now on.
We want to be blessed with your few words for us.Jai Sri Ramkrishna!
God bless!Mrigesh Bhattacharjee
Kolkata, India

||Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Mrigesh
Nice to know that you ‘stumbled’ upon this blog and would like to go through it at your leisure!
Yes, I do remember you. Have you with wife Sujata and baby Shreyi settled now in Kolkata?
Recently I visited Kolkata and Belur Math.
Devotion to god is a very important aspect of one’s life. Do you read ‘Sri Sri Ramakrishna kothamrito’? This book is a modern scripture and any one having faith in any aspect of God can read it. It is best suited to every one who is interested in his/her spiritual unfoldment. It is indeed a universal scripture.
You are welcome! May Sri Thakur bless you all is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

PranamSwamiji,
I have just visited your blog; its very nice!
I have found an Acharyaji in Uttarkashi, now I am learning Vedanta from him.
I am sharing his discourse on http://myradiostream.com/vedantaradio/Br. Mohan Swaroop
Uttarkashi, India

Glad to have met you Swamiji.
Please keep up these posts as they act as a sort of short retreat from our worldly lives. I think many more Swamis should to this to communicate with devotees far away.
Thank you very much.PranamSiddhartha
Serumban, Malaysia

Jai Thakur Maa Swamiji! Durga Durga!Aum Namo NaranayayaRevered Maharaj
Humble pranamrevered Maharaj from Droupathi and Sridutt and also children here.
It’s so difficult to put into words our Love ❤ and sincerity we are feeling in our hearts. Divine love and blessing that you have given to us only can be felt every day. Your holy company we had can never be forgotten.Revered Maharaj it’s you who have come to South Africa and awakened in all that came in contact with you, the spiritual being in us.
Never will be the same again after you left South Africa.
Again I must admit that no words can express our love for you Revered Maharaj.
With humble pranam,Jai Thakur Maa Swamiji,Sridutt Lutchman (Badshah)
Phoenix, Durban, South Africa

AumMaharaj
How are you doing?
We all are really missing your divine presence here in South Africa.
I just came by to give you the good news, Swamiji what you’ve done for me was indeed a great blessing! I have gained a lot of achievements and goals.
Indeed, I myself miss and think of you a lot! But I’m very grateful to Master for, he had brought me amongst great sadhus like you.Maharaj yesterday being the 15 December 2015, I received initiation from Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj! This was amazing news and thus, I felt that it was a need to find you and leave you with this tremendous message.
Yours in the name of Sri RamakrishnaAfsana Singh
Phoenix, South Africa

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Afsana beti,
Ah! What a news of glad tidings you brought me this morning!
Even though you have not been in contact with me all these months, I am often reminded of your deep devotion to our Holy Trio at the Phoenix ashram and also at our Glen Anil centre whenever I wanted to give an example during my Talks. You are an exceptional girl; Master had blessed you with so much of diligence in carrying out His seva;
You are indeed fortunate to have been initiated by a senior monk of our Order. This Swami is being revered by one and all in India and abroad. He is a disciple of late Swami Yatishwaranandaji whose books on Meditation are highly popular.
Do you remember my puzzle posed to you when you had breakfast with me one morning after the karate class? When you learn higher English I hope you would solve that!
May Master, Mother and Swamiji bless you ever is my earnest prayer to Them!Swami Vimokshananda

Aum namo narayanayaMaharaj
Indeed, by all means do I recall your challenging puzzle.
Indeed eagerly I await for the answer to that.
I pray to Master, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda to bring you back down here to us all as we all greatly miss your presence here!
I hope you are doing well with your health and taking care of yourself and I hope the devotees up in Singapore are enjoying your Talks and ‘treasur’ing you like we did.
My only hope is that someday I am able to come and meet you and be with you. You were never just my Swami, you are also my father, mother, friend … You were everything to me and all that I have looked forward to meeting every Saturday!
Yours in the name of Sri RamakrishnaAfsana Singh
Phoenix, South Africa

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Afsana
Thank you Afsana for your heartfelt words!
No, do not pray for my return to SA! All these years you were a child. Now you have become a teen! As your age grows the mental maturity also must grow. Do you agree?
So, your prayer should be that “O Master! Where to keep my Swami is Your Wish! Do as Thou like! But Your grace must always be showered on him! Do everything that is good for him!”
Such prayer only can bring peace of mind. This prayer is suitable for anyone and everyone. You can apply to whoever you think needs it.
May your love for Master multiply is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Dear Swamiji,
Hearty pranaam!
After reading through all the above posts, we are just very happy to have you now in Singapore no matter how ephemeral the time may be…
Warm welcome once again!Shubha Kota
Singapore

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Shubha
Thanks for your appreciative words of warm welcome!
Yes, we monks are rolling stones and running streams and are mere instruments in His hands. Whatever way He wants us to get moulded, we are ‘game’ for it! Bhagawan Sri Krishna advises in Gita – “Na prahrishyet priyam praapya nodwijet praapya chaapriyam” – neither rejoiceth on obtaining what is pleasant nor grieveth on obtaining what is unpleasant (Ch 5, V 20). This equanimity is what is required in our day to day life. By His grace we are given that opportunity to cultivate ourselves.
May the auspicious grace of Holy Mother be with you is my prayer!Swami Vimokshananda

Dear Swamiji,
Our Pranam and Namaskaram.
Me and my wife Rujuta were lucky to have your Darshan and blessings during your recent visit to Chennai Mutt.
We treasure the time we spent in your midst and the Satsang you did on Goddess Mahalakshmi was truly inspiring. We are at an early stage in our spiritual journey and feel extremely fortunate to have your blessings. As guided by you, we have also started reading the book “Meditation and Spiritual Life” by Swami Yatiswarananda.
We would continue to seek your blessing and guidance in our life and spiritual journey…
Our Pranam and Namaskaram,Vijay and Rujuta
Chennai, India

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Vijay and Rujuta
Trust by His grace, this finds you all hale and hearty! Thanks for your visit to this Blog!
I was pleased to meet you both and many other devotees who attended my lecture on “Spiritual Significance of Ashta Lakshmi” The Chennai Math Manager MaharajSwami Vimurtananda made me speak on that day for which I was not prepared. However, it seems from the feedback from the devotees that they enjoyed my talk that contained many true life incidents. I was happy to note that you purchased the mentioned book instantly and started reading it. Please keep the reading as a regular habit so that the ideas may sink into the brain slowly. Thinking after reading or discussing with Rujuta after reading would give you both many ideas. As born Hindus, we have already stored ideas about spiritual life and hence discussion would go a long way in refreshing our memory.
May Master, Mother, and Swamiji be your guide!Swami Vimokshananda

NamaskaramSwamiji,
Thank you Swamiji, for your kind and inspiring words. We need your blessings and guidance in this journey. We kindly and humbly request you to keep your blessing watch on us always.
Thank you,
With PranamVijay and Rujuta

NamaskaramSwamiji
We have one question Swamiji as to how does one gets initiated as a devotee as we are new and you had also referred about it to us. Is there are any process for the same?
Thank you and Pranam,Vijay and Rujuta
Chennai, India

||Aum Sri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Vijay and Rujuta
I do appeciate your keen interest in having diksha (initiation). Since you are in Chennai, please be aware that the President of the Ramakrishna Math in Chennai bestows initiation to the spiritual seekers. You can seek an appointment with Revered Gautamananda Ji Maharaj and express your wish. He would be the best guide. However, herein I give you a short synopsis from the famous book of Revered Swami Bhuteshananda Ji Maharaj “Spiritual Initiation – what it is?”

Spiritual Initiation Requires Preparation
Purity born of humility, faith, devotion and true yearning must preceed the guru’s blessings
Hindus who have a guru strive to receive spiritual initiation from him. In this talk, given in August of 1995, Swami Bhuteshananda explains how he counsels those who approach him for the first initiation, called mantra diksha the giving of a sacred mantra, such as Aum Namasivaya, and instructions on how to use it.
According to scriptural injunction, anyone approaching a guru for initiation must have certain qualifications. Here is an example. A sage named Narada went to Bhagavan Sanatkumara, a great teacher, for initiation. Sanatkumara said, “Tell me first what you know. Then I shall decide what should be taught.” Narada gave a detailed list of what he had studied, and none of the principal scriptures were left out. Yet, in spite of so much learning, he said, “I am not at peace, neither am I satisfied. I still feel discontent.” “Well, Narada,” said Sanatkumara. “I understand that you have studied quite a lot. But what you know are only some words. You have become a master of words, but you do not know your Self. Only a knower of the Self overcomes grief.” Then Narada humbly requested: “Bhagavan, kindly impart to me that knowledge by which I may get rid of all misery.” What does this story signify? It signifies the great necessity for preparing the ground of one’s mind before initiation.
Many desire to have spiritual initiation. But before initiation, there must be preparation. Those who are not prepared should be advised to wait. Being prepared helps one to proceed properly. This process is like preparing soil before planting seeds. The soil must be tilled and manure must be spread first. If the seed is sown after that, it grows well. One must prepare in a similar fashion before receiving mantra diksha, or spiritual initiation. This preparedness is conducive to success. And most humbly, I want to touch upon another point: There is no end to this preparation.
Unless the mind is pure, the mantra given with diksha will not be effective. The mind can be made pure through the practice of good conduct, humility and true yearning. Only then will the mantra, like a seed, sprout and flourish into a full-grown tree, bearing flowers and fruits. We must repeat that preparedness before receiving the mantra diksha is absolutely mandatory. In fact, nothing in spiritual life is achieved without preparation.
The scriptures recommend that a spiritual seeker should approach the guru for initiation only in humility, service, selfless devotion and purity. The moment of initiation is an invaluable one. We should receive the holy name in our heart with faith and devotion. We should concentrate our mind upon it. If we can dive deep into our being and remain engrossed in it, a most valuable gem will take shape within.
Once the field has been made ready, the seeker develops love for the name of God. It’s like establishing a Deity in a temple. Before the installation, the structure and the surrounding area must be made ready. Then only can we consider the installation ceremony. Receiving a mantra symbolizes installation of God in our life.
We do not usually initiate young boys and girls. Devotees who are parents with children often feel hurt because of this. But we pose the question to them: “Are these young ones ready for initiation?” No they are notÑnot at all. There is an appropriate time for mantra diksha. When the mind becomes restless for initiation, we know that time is near.
There is another point to be remembered in this context. Our daily conduct should be in tune with our state of being initiated. To accomplish this, we recommend five codes of conduct to be followed. There is nothing secret about these codes. Everybody should know about them. Hence, we speak to all. No one can move toward God without pure conduct. Here are the five codes of good conduct.
1. We should pray for the welfare of all. We should behave in such a manner that no one’s feelings are hurt and no harm is caused to anyone. We should follow ahimsa, noninjury. This not only implies not hurting others physically, it also means not thinking ill of anyone.

2. We must hold on to truth always. We should never have recourse to falsehood. And we must honor our commitments. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “One who holds on to truth rests in the lap of God.” We will have to make a lot of sacrifice in life to observe truthfulness. It is not an easy job.

3. We must never cheat or deceive anyone in any way. Let us be satisfied with what is due. This is honesty in dealing with others.

4. We must bring all of our sense organs under our control. Let us not be guided by them. Control over one or two sense organs will not do. All the senses must be brought under strict control.

5. We must think of God and strive to realize him.We must lead a simple, straight forward and natural life. We should not seek luxury. This does not mean we should wear beggar’s clothes, but we must strive to maintain ourselves with minimum requirements. This also means we should be free from greed.

Mantra diksha should be taken with all seriousness. It should not be looked upon as a status symbol. Initiation is for God realization only. At times, we are forced to pass through a number of adverse situations. From where shall we get the strength and motivation to overcome them? If we get initiated after due preparation, that initiation itself will provide us with that necessary strength.

NamaskaramSwamiji,
Thank you for your guidance regarding initiation. We are pursuing our spiritual journey in the right earnest. We are attending satsangs regularly in the Chennai Math and also reading the books about Shri Ramakrishna ji, Swami Vivekananda and other disciples. We are able to understand the essence of life through these readings.
We have also contacted the office and we have applied for an initiation which is currently scheduled for February 10th.
We seek your blessings and guidance as we take this important step in our spiritual journey,Namaskaram and PranamVijay and Rujuta
Chennai, India

||Aum Shri Ramakrishna sharanam||Dear Vijay & Rujuta
Yes, the news that you would be blessed into Deeksha on Feb 10th, made me happy. Thanks for this update!
May the blessings of our Holy Trio be with you and bestow all needs of your householder life is my prayer! May the boat be on the water not the other way round!Jai Ramakrishna!Swami Vimokshananda